8296704
submission
Nerdfest writes:
The CBC reports that Irish rocker Bono is calling for better restrictions on the internet to protect artists and their work. "A decade's worth of music file-sharing and swiping has made clear that the people it hurts are the creators — in this case, the young, fledgling songwriters who can't live off ticket and T-shirt sales like the least sympathetic among us." And he alleges that "rich service providers" are reaping "the lost receipts of the music business."
The musician claims the technology is available to track and prevent illegal downloading, noting efforts in China which limit its populace from freely accessing the internet.
8294940
submission
Nerdfest writes:
In these budget conscious times, schools who want to integrate modern interactive technologies have a choice, buy a SmartBoard , or build your own for a fraction of the cost. Johnny Chung Lee has done some of the groundbreaking work with the Wii, the build instructions and downloads can be found on his site. In addition to the Wiimote, you'll need an infrared light emitting pen, which you can build yourself for short money.
5505227
submission
Nerdfest writes:
The Guardian is reporting that the major music labels are working on an 'album' format that contains music, lyrics, artwork, etc, called CMX. Apple had also been invited, but is working on it's own format called 'Cocktail'. No word here on whether or not the format supports DRM. Here's hoping an open standard is the result of this.
1212409
submission
Nerdfest writes:
Tim Westergren of Pandora.com, the streaming music provider is asking for listeners help. He says:
After a yearlong negotiation, Pandora, artists and record companies are finally optimistic about reaching an agreement on royalties that would save Pandora and Internet radio. But just as we've gotten close, large traditional broadcast radio companies have launched a covert lobbying campaign to sabotage our progress.
His blog entry has more details.
1102093
submission
Nerdfest writes:
The CBC reports that Quebec's open-source software group, Facil, says the government is showing bias toward Microsoft by not using free alternatives.
705451
submission
Nerdfest writes:
The CBC is reporting that Industry Canada is buffing the Wikipedia entry of the minister in charge of the Canadian equivalent of the DMCA.
380435
submission
Nerdfest writes:
It won't be long until our favorite anti-gamer lawyer is all over this one. Father and son research team J. Ronald and Douglas Gentile found that video games share seven parallels with teaching methods, including encouraging players — or students — to learn new skills over a period of time to overcome problems and changing environments. Games, like teachers, are also able to adapt to skill levels and respond to errors.
283617
submission
Nerdfest writes:
The CBC is reporting that a cancer researcher in Erie, Pa., has stumbled on a technique that could turn salt water into fuel (hydrogen) using RF. John Kanzius happened upon the discovery accidentally when he tried to desalinate seawater with a radio-frequency generator he developed to treat cancer. He discovered that as long as the salt water was exposed to the radio frequencies, it would burn.
